Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·91 of 348
"Give me a lever long enough and I will move the world."
They never said that.
What people say
"Give me a lever long enough and I will move the world."
What was actually said
"Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world." Archimedes (as told by Pappus) — Synagoge Book VIII (4th c.) by Pappus of Alexandria
Why it stuck
Pappus of Alexandria, 4th century. The "move the world" phrasing tightens Pappus's longer clause.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.